atomic weight the sum of the masses of the constituents of an atom, expressed in atomic mass units (or daltons), in SI units (i.e., kilograms), or as a dimensionless ratio derived by comparing the mass to the mass of an atom of carbon-12, which is taken as 12.000. Abbreviated At wt.

equivalent weight the amount of substance that combines with or displaces 8.0 g of oxygen (or 1.008 g of hydrogen), usually expressed in grams; for acid/base reactions, one equivalent donates or receives a mole of protons and the equivalent weight is the ratio of the molecular weight to the number of protons involved in the reaction. For oxidation-reduction reactions, one equivalent donates or receives a mole of electrons and the equivalent weight is the ratio of the molecular weight to the number of electrons involved in the reaction.

gram molecular weight the molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; one gram molecular weight of a molecular substance contains one mole of molecules. See also mole1.

molecular weight the weight of a molecule of a chemical compound as compared with the weight of an atom of carbon-12; it is equal to the sum of the weights of its constituent atoms and is dimensionless. Abbreviated Mol wt or MW. Although widely used, the term is not technically correct; relative molecular mass is preferable.

low birth weight

(LBW) (lō bǐrth wāt)

Birth weight less than 2500 g. Can be due to a range of factors, including interference with intrauterine growth or premature birth.

low birth weight

Abbreviation: LBW

Abnormally low weight of a newborn, usually less than 2500 g. Its causes include: preterm delivery of less than 37 weeks, multiple gestation, an abnormal uterus or cervix, congenital (genetic) anomalies in the fetus, maternal smoking or illicit drug use, placental malformation or malfunction, inadequate maternal nutrition, or a variety of other socioeconomic problems. Early, regular prenatal care and control of chronic and acute health problems help reduce risk. A series of ultrasounds can monitor fetal development. Early delivery is necessary if the fetus does not show signs of improvement. Incomplete maturation of the newborn's lungs is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in LBW infants. Surfactants and a variety of neonatal technological supports decrease burden of this disease. Nursing/perinatal considerations include maintaining normal body temperature; diagnosis and treatment of hypoglycemia; maintenance of fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional status; and careful monitoring of newborn intake and output. Respiratory distress may be present, requiring oxygen and ventilation. Many preterm infants also have hyperbilirubinemia and are treated with phototherapy.

A case control study suggested that mothers with premature, low birth weight babies (PLBW) had more serve periodontal disease than mothers with full-term deliveries and periodontitis appeared to an important risk factors independent of other traditional obstetric risk factors[9].

When the second definition covering a longer time period was applied, maternal asthma was found to be a significant risk factor for the development and degree of prematurity and low birth weight, with a prevalence rate of 10.

McKeown's recommends include: that Ontario improve data collection and develop indicators to measure child health determinants and outcomes; and that the Public Health Agency of Canada develop indicators to promote healthy breastfeeding standards; and to collaborate with key stakeholders to address disparities in low birth weight across Toronto.

According to the authors of the study, "A literature review retrieved 49 studies that demonstrated at least 95 percent confidence in an increased risk of preterm birth (PB), or surrogates such as low birth weight or second-trimester spontaneous abortion, in association with previous induced abortions.

Many factors outside of school prevent Latino and black students from reaching the desired level of education, which include low birth weight, lead poisoning resulting from poverty, and too much television.

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